NEED TO KNOW
- Kada Scott’s remains were found nearly three weeks after she was reported missing
- Keon King, 21, has been charged with kidnapping in connection with her disappearance. He is not facing charges in connection with her death as of Oct. 20
- Local politicians are raising funds for Scott’s family
Authorities in Philadelphia have announced new charges against a man in connection with the disappearance of Kada Scott, whose remains were found over the weekend.
Scott, 23, disappeared on the evening of Oct. 4 after leaving an assisted living facility where she worked, according to a previous police statement. On Wednesday, Oct. 15, police arrested 21-year-old Keon King on charges of kidnapping in connection with Scott’s disappearance.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, investigators acting on a tip found Scott’s remains in a wooded area behind an abandoned school, Philadelphia police confirmed to PEOPLE.
Now, King has been charged with several other offenses in connection with Scott’s disappearance, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, Oct. 20.
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As the investigation into Scott’s case ensued, police learned that she had been receiving “harassing” calls in the days leading up to her disappearance.
Police have declined to say if King is connected to the alleged calls.
He is now, however, facing an additional charge of arson, among several other charges, in connection with the burning of a car investigators were tipped off about last week, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at Monday’s press conference.
Video evidence recovered over the weekend led investigators to believe that the vehicle was used by King to “move Ms. Scott,” Toczylowski said, adding that the footage taken from a recreation center nearby the school shows the vehicle was “on location at all of the pertinent points of the investigation.”
The vehicle was reported stolen on Oct. 3 and was “on scene” where she said Scott’s remains were found. Video evidence indicates the vehicle was burned on Oct. 7, and police investigators allege King’s phone was at the location when the car was burned, Toczylowski said.
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Soon after King’s arrest last week, Philadelphia authorities said other alleged victims of King have come forward about their experience with him.
King already had kidnapping and strangulation charges against him from a prior incident this year, Toczylowski previously said. Those charges were initially withdrawn when his alleged victim did not show up in court, but prosecutors said last week they would be refiling those charges.
Scott’s family has requested privacy at this time.
They had previously set up a GoFundMe to assist with information about her whereabouts and raise awareness about her case.
Philadelphia City Council member Anthony Phillips said on Monday they are working with Scott’s family and are accepting donations — including toiletries, self-care, meal-delivery services and non-perishable food items for Scott’s parents and her sister, who is in high school and working to pay for her college.
“Kada Scott mattered, her life matters,” Phillips said, adding that she is being remembered for her “kindness and contagious joy and smile and wonderfulness.”
Phillips can be reached at (215) 686-3454.
The updated charges against King include arson, causing catastrophe, conspiracy, unauthorized use of an automobile, tampering with evidence and recklessly endangering another person, Toczylowski said. He is not facing charges in connection with her death as of Oct. 20.
King has yet to enter a plea, according to online court records, which also did not indicate attorney information.
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